Army builds houses for destitute families in the North

Jul 22, 2011 1:29:08 PM - itnnews.lk

Shelter is being provided by the Sri Lanka Army to destitute families in Jaffna. The President inspects the Army Housing Project.

A majority of civilians of the North who were caught up in ruthless terrorism for nearly 30 years were deprived of their houses. The Sri Lanka Army came to their rescue in embarked on a project to provide shelter to them. President Rajapaksa during his tour of the North inspected the Housing Project mooted at Kirimalai in Jaffna by the 515 Brigade Headquarters of the Army. The Kirimalai Scheme has ten units. Soldiers of the Army succeeded in completing the work on this Scheme within 10 days. Each house cost nearly 300 thousand rupees. On arrival in Kirimalai, the people of the area welcomed the President according to their traditions. After opening one house, the President had a cordial chat with the people and inquired into their well being. A mango sapling was also planted in the precincts of the Hosing Scheme. Kirimalai came under frequent attack during the conflict period. Families started fleeing the area which was declared as a High Security Zone, with the escalation of attacks. The people expressed their gratitude to the Army for the initiatives taken to build permanent houses for them with their return for resettlement.
One civilian said they lived like gypsies for 21 years. They wish to express their gratitude to the President for the measures taken to return their areas and also build houses for them. They actually did not know how they should thank the President.
A woman was of the view that they can now think the future of their children. Earlier they lived in fear and suspicion. But today they have hopes. It was the President who was meeting their aspirations.
A school child said they can now attend the village school. They were thankful to the President for giving them a house.
Another civilian stated that they can engaged in their profession in their village. In the past they did not have proper shelter and were engaged in minor jobs. We do not like to recall that bleak era. They are satisfied for the freedom they enjoy.
Another woman claimed that that she had no knowledge of her village although she was born there. They had to leave their village. She lost her mother due to the war. She said she is fortunate to return to her village.